16 Across
NYT Daily • August 13, 2025
"Casablanca" heroine
Answer:
ILSA
Hint:
She famously told Rick, "Play it once, Sam, for old times' sake."
Explanation:
The clue refers to Ilsa Lund, the female lead in the classic 1941 film Casablanca. She’s the love interest of Rick Blaine (played by Humphrey Bogart) and is famously torn between him and her husband, Victor Laszlo. The name "Ilsa" fits the answer length and is instantly recognizable to fans of the movie. No wordplay here—just a direct reference to a beloved cinematic character.